Recovery and recycling stream
The network of operators and processes used to collect, prepare, sort, treat and route a material or end-of-life product toward an appropriate recovery or recycling pathway.
Recyclability
The ability of a product or its constituent materials to be recovered, separated and treated so that they can be reintroduced into a new production cycle; recyclability does not guarantee that actual recycling will occur.
Recycled material
Material obtained from the treatment of waste or end-of-life products and reintroduced as a raw material into a new production cycle.
Refurbishment
An operation aimed at restoring, improving or adapting existing equipment in order to extend its useful life and, where relevant, avoid premature replacement.
Relative emissions
Emissions expressed per unit of activity or against a reference indicator, allowing carbon intensity to be tracked independently of changes in activity volume.
Repairability
The ability of a product or piece of equipment to be repaired so that it recovers all or part of its function and its useful life can be extended.
Resource sufficiency
An approach aimed at reducing the consumption of resources, materials or energy by questioning needs and uses before seeking technical efficiency gains. It complements energy efficiency and process optimisation.
Responsible governance
A management approach integrating transparency, ethics, monitoring of commitments, measurement of results and consideration of stakeholder expectations.
Responsible purchasing
A purchasing approach that incorporates environmental, social, ethical and governance criteria, in addition to cost, quality and lead-time considerations, into supplier selection, assessment and engagement.
Reuse
Using a product or piece of equipment again for the same purpose or a compatible purpose, without it having become waste and without major material transformation.